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Master's Programme in Interaction Design

The Master's Programme in Interaction Design explores how people's behaviour relates to that of products and services. Designers shape this relationship by integrating cognitive, emotional, and physical aspects into a cohesive whole. The programme equips designers to balance societal relevance, human understanding, and the possibilities and consequences of technology.

About the Programme

The programme is a 2-year, full-time, on-campus programme located in Umeå. It is a second-cycle programme, and the language of instruction is English.

Admission and Selection

Admission to the programme requires a Bachelor's degree or equivalent first-cycle qualification comprising at least 180 ECTS or a corresponding qualification from an internationally recognized university. Specific entry requirements are:

• 60 ECTS in the field of Design
• Portfolio
• Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6

Selection among qualified applicants is based upon submitted portfolio material and interviews and/or creative assignment.

While Studying

All courses are structured into 5-, 10-, or 20-week blocks. Within each block, shorter course modules offer specific skills training, theoretic studies, and practical exercises. Studio courses are usually part of a 5-week block and aimed at learning specific skills and applying them in practical exercises.

Applied Design Courses

Applied design projects form the backbone of the Master's Programme in Interaction Design. Projects usually include lectures, field trips, site visits, group method work, user studies, and studio work. The projects are carried out in collaboration with external partners and tutoring is given both by our own teachers and visiting professional designers.

Core Design Projects

Each semester, students engage in a core design project as part of a project-based learning approach, exploring relevant design opportunities to solve real-world problems in collaboration with external partners.

Project 1: Specialised Product

Students explore user needs in work contexts and co-design tailored products or systems with external collaborators.

Project 2: General Product

Students use ethnographic and participatory methods to co-create inclusive products, services, or systems with external partners.

Project 3: Interaction Concept

Students design conceptual products or systems focused on interaction, using sensory and contextual methods with collaborators.

Project 4: Degree Project

A self-directed final project where students define their own challenge and collaborate externally, culminating in a professional presentation across formats.

Internships

Internships allow students to develop their professional skills as well as their own professional networks in preparation for a future career in industrial design.

Industry-like Design Studios

All programmes reside in industry-like design studios, where each student has an individual workspace. The shared spaces - workshops, computer labs, painting rooms, libraries - build innovative learning environments defined by a collaborative spirit.

Future and Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Master's Programme in Interaction Design are well-equipped to embark on a diverse range of career paths, including:

• Interaction designer
• User experience specialist
• Usability expert
• Professional roles in design, media, and ICT industries
• Academic research
• Startups
• Strategic roles in market and business development
• Designing for politics, public organisations, and NGOs

Degree

After completing the study programme, a student who has applied for a degree can obtain a Degree of Master of Fine Arts (120 credits) in accordance with the local qualification descriptor established by the Vice-Chancellor. The degree is awarded in the main field of study (Industrial Design) with specialisation in Interaction Design.

Application and Tuition Fees

As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.

• Application fee: SEK 900
• Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 160,650
• Total fee: SEK 642,600

Frequently Asked Questions

• How well should I be able to communicate in English? Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6.
• Are there any grants or scholarships for design students? Accepted students that come from non-EU countries are offered the possibility to apply for a reduction of the tuition fees.
• What should my portfolio contain? The Master's programme in Interaction Design has special requirements for the portfolio.
• Do I need a degree in industrial design to be eligible? Holding a degree in industrial design is considered positive but is not a requirement.
• Am I eligible without 60 ECTS credits in the subject of design? You are unfortunately not eligible if your degree does not include at least 60 ECTS credits in the subject of design.
• Can you look at my diploma/transcripts to see if I am eligible? Umeå University Admissions looks at and approves academic documents.
• Can you look at my portfolio before I apply? We are not allowed to give any pre-assessments.
• Can I apply to the programme if I'm in my last year of bachelor studies? Yes, you can.
• Do I have to be able to speak Swedish to study at UID? No, our MFA programmes are taught completely in English.
• Can I start the programme, or be a guest student, during the spring term? Due to the nature of the programme and its sequence of activities, a number of obligatory basic skills are taught in the fall semester. If the student has not passed these courses they cannot participate in several of the courses that follow. Thus, in principle we do not accept applications for the spring term.